Served On Ruler's Plate

Chapter 19

Kunot-noo ko siyang tiningnan.

"Huh?" Ibinulsa ko na ang calling card na binigay ng tatay niya.

"You talked to Laiza. Anong sinabi niya? May sinabi ba siya ulit sayo?" Isinara na niya ang pinto pagkatapos ay naglakad palapit sa akin hanggang ilang metro na lang ang layo namin sa isa't isa.

He looks nervous now. Far away from the serious and stoic Seige.

"W-wala siyang sinabi..." Mahinahon kong sabi. Naningkit ang mga mata niya.

"Did she... Did she came to tell you about me and her being married... Again?" Dahan-dahan ang pagsabi niya at mahinahon. Doon naman kumunot ang noo ko.

"Hindi. Bakit ba? May tinatago ka ba?" Medyo nagiging aggressive na ako.

"No! Wala akong tinatago." Tumango na lang ako tsaka naglakad papunta sa table ko. Walang ganang makinig sa kaniya.

"Okay. I'm married to her 5 years ago." Doon na ako natigil sa paglakad. Nakatalikod ako sa kaniya. Mas mabuti na rin itong ganitong posisyon para kung may sasabihin pa siya, hindi niya makikita ang emosyon ko.

"It was ny mother's last wish on her death bed. Minutes before she died. She and Laiza's mom were best of friends. Nagkasundo silang ipakasal ang mga anak nila paglumaki na sila. We were also friends. But we never see each other as a significant other. Nagpakasal kami sa huwes but we leave far from each other. Sa Italy namatay si Mommy kaya doon na rin kami nagpakasal. It was urgent actually that we did an impromptu speech.

"I already passed the Architectural Exam here in the Philippines. A day after I passed, it all happened. I was left with my mom's family construction firm. Gladly, I have my cousins. Three years after practicing architecture, I came home. Applied for a job as a professional teacher after taking the LETbut Laiza and I still communicate. I am aware that she's with her boyfriend. Sinasabihan niya akong maghanap na rin ng babaeng pakakasalan but I'm still enjoy my sex life. She's aware of what I'm doing. Until you became my student." Hindi ako lumingon nong tumigil siyang magsalita.

"You're freshmen. I think. Naglalakad ka sa hallway, nakatali ang buhok mo but you're not looking anywhere. Nakatingin ka lang sa isang maliit na papel. Nagkabanggaan tayo. Nag sorry ka lang at umalis na. Tila wala kang pake sa paligid mo. I got curious because you caught my attention. It's absurd, I know. You're eighteen that time. I'm years ahead of you. Hindi na rin kita nakita pa masyado sa campus kaya kinalimutan na kita until one day, pumasok ka sa faculty dala ang plates ng mga classmates mo para ipass sa isang professor niyo. Doon ko na laman na Architecture student ka pala. Kaya hindi kita nakikita dahil kayo ang nasa pinakadulo ng hallway sa third floor na hindi ko naman napupuntahan dahil seniors na ang tinuturuan ko. I tried to bed women pero mukha mo ang nakikita ko sa kanila kaya patalikod ko na lang silang... uh, patalikod na lang posisyon nila." Napataas ang dalawang kilay ko. So it was all because of lust? Mukha ba akong may malaking boobs at pwet?

"So sex-"

"No! It's not all about sex, Amaya. Then your sophomore year came. At ako na ang adviser niyo. I was beyond happy pero hindi mo ako naoapansin. Everyday, lagi kang pumapasok na puyat. You look so haggard. That's the time I made a background check. You lost your parents. Sa scholarship at sa part-time ka na lang kumakapit. May sakit din si Rica. I was eager to help you. I don't know why do I feel that eagerness. Until the night you saw me at the park. Sinadya ko iyon. I want you to come to me. I want you to depend on me. I want to be the one that'll help you. It did work. I don't know how to express the feelings I have to you. For months, I'm happy that you're beside me. The day I met you is the day I'm very sure about you. Na sa wakas, nakakakita na rin ako ng babaeng makakasama ko habang-buhay but I guess I'm wrong?" Doon na ako napaharap. I saw the pain in his eyes. Hindi ako nagsalita. Nakatingin lang ako sa kaniya.